DENVER – The Mullen Fire burning in southern Wyoming and northern Colorado grew by 11,571 acres on Sunday and was 151,700 acres in size and 14% contained as of Monday morning, officials said.
Firefighters conducted firing operations around the fire perimeter Sunday to widen fire lines in the Savage Run Wilderness, Keystone area of Wyoming and Sawmill Park area. Structure protection continues Monday in the populated areas to which the fire is closest.
Smoke blanketed the Laramie Valley east of the fire Sunday. Red flag warnings are in effect for the area including and surrounding the fire Monday, as winds shift to the northwest and gust up to 35 miles per hour.
“Smoke production will be high again today and will spread to the east as fuel within the perimeter is consumed,” fire officials said Monday morning.
The smoke from the Mullen fire and Cameron Peak Fire, burning to the south in Larimer County, will drift toward the south and southeast on Monday afternoon along the Colorado Front Range, where air quality health advisories and action days for fine particulates are in effect.
Officials expect active fire weather, quick spreading and heavy smoke through the first half of the week. The Southern Area Blue Team is expected to take over operations on Tuesday.
In Colorado, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office has implemented mandatory evacuations for the three-way and north on Highways 125 and 127, the east side of Jackson CR 8 up to Highway 127 and along Jackson CR 6E. In Larimer County, mandatory evacuations are in place for the Roach and Hohnholz areas along CR 103.
The fire started around noon on Sept. 17. Its cause is still under investigation. There were 1,104 personnel working the fire as of Monday morning.
